Group B - Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

[alternative]

Pretty impressed with saffies after the early hiccups..

 

[Dravid]

Indeed, very well batted by Boucher for his and led the recovery so far. Also good comeback from Razzaq after last match. Much better than before.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Interestingly, Mark Boucher averaged 24.85 at the start of 2004. Now he averages 28.00 during the current innings (at 53*). Before this innings he averaged 27.59.

That means that in his last 44 ODI innings before this one, he has averaged 34.38.
In his last 28 innings he has averaged 41.95.
Even against teams other than Zimbabwe, he averages 34.18 over his last 34 matches. He's certainly improved as an ODI batsman.

The real point of interest is in how his Test batting has suffered in the time though. His Test average was 32.12 at the start of 2004. In 27 matches since, he has averaged 28.83 and his average has slipped to 30.10 presently.

 

[Dravid]

Finally Boucher's inning comes to an end for 69. Great inning saving performance from Boucher and a great partnership between Kemp and Boucher. 173-6. Game on for sure now.

 

[Dravid]

South Africa thinking of starting to attack with 46 overs gone and the first ball of the over Pollock puts it Raos and starts walking back. 182-7

 

[oz_fan]

Kemp out after a great knock of 64. SA 199/8 after 49.2 overs.

 

[Pratters]

Predictions?

 

[Xuhaib]

213-8 Game over i reckon

 

[Dravid]

Predictions?

India v West Indies ending all over again.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

South Africa should definitely win easily from here. Anything is possible though.

 

[Pratters]

Personally I don't think Pakistan are out of it. The pitch seems to have lost some of the juice which made it so dangerous earlier in the game. While the South African seamers would definitely get support from the pitch, Pakistan would fight I reckon and can very well win it. Younis Khan is due some runs as well.

 

[social]

Wicket looks ok - why all the doom and gloom from Pakistani supporters?

If they're good enough, they'll win - it's hardly 350 they're chasing!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Wicket looks ok - why all the doom and gloom from Pakistani supporters?

If they're good enough, they'll win - it's hardly 350 they're chasing!

The wicket is okay after the first 10 overs or so, but there'll be plenty of movement with the new ball, and Pakistan aren't exactly renowned for their tenacity on these sort of surfaces. The key will just be survival early on.

 

[Dravid]

Gone! South Africa to a great start, Hafeez is out. Ntini bowls a good length ball on off stump. Hafeez goes to defend it, gets the outside edge to first slip and Pakistan are 5-1. What a great game this is turning out to be.

 

[oz_fan]

Ntini strikes straight away. Hafeez out. Pak 5/1.

 

[Dravid]

Wow that guy in the crowd looks exactly like Inzi. Interesting.

 

[Dravid]

Pakistan letting it slip out of their hands. That shot was not needed. 9/2 Pakistan....loved Pollocks expression after taking the catch

 

[oz_fan]

Pakistan letting it slip out of their hands. That shot was not needed. 9/2 Pakistan....loved Pollocks expression after taking the catch

I'm pretty sure that's his 100th ODI catch.

 

[Dravid]

Haha, chants of "Pakistan Harega" going around the ground.

And if I hear correctly, also there is the famous chant of "Sachin Sachin!!".................

 

[Pratters]

Very good stuff from Pollock..